The United States has developed "advanced" methods of communicating with North Korea on its nuclear and missile programs, according to Australia's Foreign Minister.

Donald Trump has previously said it's not worth wasting time negotiating with North Korea

Ms Bishop is concerned North Korea may use next week's Communist Party Congress as an excuse to launch another missile

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has revealed the US is in direct communication with Pyongyang, but President Donald Trump has told him not to waste his time trying to negotiate with leader Kim Jong-un.

"I believe that the United States is rather advanced in its back channelling with North Korea," Ms Bishop said.